House of Representatives Commission IV member Rajiv has strongly\ncondemned the alleged corruption of animal feed funds at Surabaya Zoo\n(KBS) amounting to Rp 10.2 billion. The funds were allegedly\nmisappropriated through the creation of fictitious transaction evidence\nand used for personal gain.<\/p>\n
Rajiv urged law enforcement officials to thoroughly investigate the\ncase. He also demanded that all parties involved in the alleged\nmisappropriation of the animal feed budget from 2016 to 2024 be\nexamined.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis misappropriation is suspected to have lasted for eight years. I\nfully support the East Java High Prosecutor\u2019s Office in investigating\nthis matter comprehensively and without discrimination. The\ninvestigation must not stop at just one person. All parties suspected of\nknowing about the KBS budget irregularities must be examined,\u201d Rajiv\nsaid in a written statement on Friday (24\/7\/2026).<\/p>\n
He further stated that if legally and convincingly proven guilty of\ncorruption in court, the perpetrators must receive the maximum possible\nsentence in accordance with the law. \u201cWe still respect the principle of\npresumption of innocence because being named a suspect does not\nconstitute a guilty verdict. However, if all charges are proven in\ncourt, there should be no lenient punishment,\u201d Rajiv stressed.<\/p>\n
The NasDem Party faction politician revealed that the animal feed\ncorruption has led to a decline in the quality of KBS management,\nincluding dirty and damaged facilities and animals appearing unhealthy,\nwith some even dying due to allegedly poor care.<\/p>\n
\u201cCorruption of animal feed funds is an extremely cruel act because\nwhat is being stolen is not only state money, but also the basic rights\nof animals to receive food, healthcare, and a proper living\nenvironment,\u201d Rajiv stated.<\/p>\n
According to Rajiv, this case demonstrates that the matter does not\nsolely involve state financial losses, but also has the potential to\ncause biological losses, animal welfare damage, and conservation harm\nthat cannot be measured merely in rupiah.<\/p>\n
He said a zoo is not just a recreational facility or a regional-owned\nenterprise. KBS is an ex-situ conservation institution that carries out\nthe functions of rescue and maintenance of genetic reserves.<\/p>\n
Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation Number 15 of 2023\nstipulates that the management of conservation institutions for the\npublic interest must be carried out based on ethical principles and\nanimal welfare. Therefore, the alleged reduction or misappropriation of\nbudgets intended for animal feed, health, cage cleanliness, and care\nmust also be examined from the perspective of conservation obligation\nviolations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe KBS case must become a momentum to improve the governance of all\nconservation institutions in Indonesia. Conservation institutions must\nbe managed with professionalism, integrity, budget transparency, human\nresource competence, and absolute compliance with animal welfare\nprinciples,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mp-rajiv-condemns-surabaya-zoo-feed-corruption-calls-for-maximum-punishment-1784868825", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }